Learn from my mistake and triumphs, kiddoes…
Towards the end of the challenge, I’m noticing something about the people who are participating in the challenge: they’re getting more comfortable with tretaing the challenge as a support, not a cage.
What kind of support do you need, around your writing life?
Want to participate on your own schedule, get the StoryADay Challenge Handbook
Learn from my mistake and triumphs, kiddoes…
Haven’t joined the challenge yet? Do that here
Want to participate on your own schedule, get the StoryADay Challenge Handbook
Learn from my mistake and triumphs, kiddoes…
An update from my StoryADay Challenge including travel; a migraine; whether or not writing streaks matter; and what to do when you don’t stick to your own rules for the challenge…
Haven’t joined the challenge yet? Do that here
Want to participate on your own schedule, get the StoryADay Challenge Handbook
Learn from my mistake and triumphs, kiddoes…
Haven’t joined the challenge yet? Do that here
Want to participate on your own schedule, get the StoryADay Challenge Handbook
Learn from my mistake and triumphs, kiddoes…
Jo Clark’s horse wisdom: https://www.derekandjo.com/
Haven’t joined the challenge yet? Do that here
Want to participate on your own schedule, get the StoryADay Challenge Handbook
Learn from my mistake and triumphs, kiddoes…
Haven’t joined the challenge yet? Do that here
Want to participate on your own schedule, get the StoryADay Challenge Handbook
In which I talk about the dangers of free-writing, morning pages, and journaling…
Upgrade now to the Online Challenge HandbookGet the Challenge Handbook, with helper videos, audio and text PLUS daily warm ups and brainstorming exercises designed to jumpstart your writing, daily.
Write with us during May or go at your own pace.
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in which you get to hear me sing!
I thought I was a naturally talented musician.
Turns out there was more to it than that…
I know I say you should set your own rules for StoryADay, but the truth is, committing to writing daily, can be…easier. Here’s why…
It’s Day 1! Let’s get started!
After we finish these five days, you will have a really strong sense of why you’re writing.
Over the next 5 days we’re going to create your ‘Writer’s Manifesto’, a document that will help you understand why writing matters to you and what you want to bring into the world, through you creativity.
It acts as a decision-filter for the way you work on every scene, every story, every piece.
When I was procrastinating on revisions to a story, I wasn’t sure what was wrong. Then I looked at my Writer’s Manifesto and realized that the cynical little story I had drafted didn’t match my goals for me, as a writer and human.
That realization freed me to let that draft go, and work on something better…which came much more easily.
Likewise, in trying to write a scene in my novel, it kept trending to a tone that didn’t match what I had written as my aspirations for my work. Remembering that allowed me to find a better tone for the scene, which then flowed better, because I believed in it more.
We start by figuring out who we admire, as creative — who are our ‘Fairy Art Parents’…
Write a list of creative people you admire and what attracts you to them.
Don’t spend too long on this.
For example, I wrote:
Amanda Palmer. For her commitment to making the art that only she can make and for finding ways to get paid for it. outwith traditional structures. And for her commitment to openness.
Mary Robinette Kowal science fiction, fantasy author, whose pursuit of the craft of writing and storytelling is detailed and, logical. For her willingness to share that with others and to keep on turning out her own work and building an audience at the same time.
Nick Stevenson for what I call his calculated openheartedness, the way that he communicates with his readers.
Kim Stanley Robinson for his unique style and optimism.
Neil Gaiman for the same things, and for the literary family tree that he grew out of.
Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams for their quirky style, their humor, their big ideas and for the fact that what I get from them. I can only get from them.
Today’s is a tiny task, but it lays the foundation for the really important process that we’re going through this week.
We’ll be back tomorrow to take the next step with this list that you’re making today.
Who did you pick as your Fairy Art Parents. Leave a comment and let us know!
Keep writing,
P. S. Have a friend who should be going through this challenge with you? Send them a link to sign up at storyaday.org/jan-challenge
A vlog about how my StoryADay May is going…
A vlog about how my StoryADay May is going…
A vlog about how my StoryADay May is going…
Everything is material…when you’re a writer. Also: my theory about why it’s a good thing for humanity that we are writing instead of doing…other things….
Keep writing,
Julie
A vlog about how my StoryADay May is going…
A vlog about how my StoryADay May is going…
And again, the best laid plans o’mice and men, as my buddy Rabbie Burns used to say…
Keep writing,
Julie
A vlog about how my StoryADay May is going…
A vlog about how my StoryADay May is going…
Week 1 is a wrap!
Today I was pretty happy with the very short story I wrote. When I got to the end I discovered something interesting, which I share in this video.
Also: now’s a great time to assess what went well last week and what you’ll keep/do differently during this coming week of the challenge (I talk about this, too, in this video)
Keep writing,
Julie
A vlog about how my StoryADay May is going…
Week 1 is a wrap!
Today I wrote badly and learned some things. I also got to hangout with the StoryADay Superstars and talk about writing, and it was moving, and inspired.
Hey you: if you’re reading this and writing at all: you’re pretty unusual and you’re pretty amazing.
Keep writing,
Julie
Catch up with the first week of StoryADay May 2023 through the experiences of founder and writer, Julie Duffy
On this episode of the podcast I update you on how my StoryADay challenge is going this year, in the hopes that I’ll inspire you to get or keep going too!
Subscribe to the daily series here: http://stada.me/2023lives
00:00 StADa287 Five Days In May
01:14 D
04:40 Day 2
09:56 Day 3
13:41 Day 4
17:26 Day 5
21:21 Wrap up
And finally a remainder that know you can support this podcast, if you would like to, which some people have asked me about and to do that, you go to glow.fm/storyaday, and you can make a one-time or recurring donation to keep the show going. And I really appreciate your support. That’s it from me this week. Happy writing. And I’ll see you again soon.
A vlog about how my StoryADay May is going…
Sometimes we resist things because “I don’t write that genre” or “I don’t know what to do with this scenario”.
My advice? Try it anyway. You never know what you’ll discover!
A vlog about how my StoryADay May is going…
Sometimes we resist things because “I don’t write that genre” or “I don’t know what to do with this scenario”.
My advice? Try it anyway. You never know what you’ll discover!
A vlog about how my StoryADay May is going…
Today was a lot of fun.
I did things I don’t generally recommend…and I am not sorry!
A vlog about how my StoryADay May is going…
I found today’s prompt challenging, perhaps because I was feeling the pressure to write about something weighty and important, which made me feel intimidated and stuck. But then I remembered my collection of Story Sparks, and I found inspiration in a personal experience that I gave to a different character.
I decided to write the story in third person and present tense to make it more experiential for the reader. This was different from what I had been writing the past couple of days, which were more narrative in form.
Through this experience, I was reminded of the importance of just getting started with writing. Even though parts of the prompt made me resist at first, I found that I had unknowingly incorporated them into my story.
Trusting yourself as a storyteller and putting words on the page, even if they feel choppy or imperfect, can lead to magic in your writing.
So, don’t fret about finding the perfect topic or having everything planned out. Just start writing and let the interesting stuff happen. Nobody needs to see it, and you might just end up with a big, stupid grin on your face like I did.
Keep writing, and stay tuned for tomorrow’s prompt on keeping things short!
A vlog about how my StoryADay May is going…
Day two of the challenge and I’m feeling great.
But, I made the classic mistake of not planning ahead, so I spent the first half hour doing admin instead of writing. I’m going to fix that tomorrow by planning my morning better.
The prompt today was from Mary Robinette Kowal:
“What’s in your character’s pocket?”
I used characters from my work in progress and wrote a self-contained story that I can later use as a scene in my novel. Other participants are using the challenge to push forward their work in progress in various ways.
What will YOU do?
A vlog about how my StoryADay May is going…
^^^ Watch (captions available)
˅˅˅ listen (mp3)
This time we talk about her favorite stories of her own and the writers she admires, working in short fiction now. We also talk about the importance of community for writers, and then Rachel turns the tables on me!
(You can find Part 1 of this interview, here)
Rachel Swearingen is the author of “How to Walk on Water and other short stories” which received the New American Press Fiction Prize.
LINKS
This episode: storyaday.org/episode283
Rachel’s site: rachelswearing.com
Sign up for StoryADay May: http://storyaday.org/signup
Support the podcast: glow.fm/storyaday
In this conversation with award-winning writer Rachel Swearingen we talk about how to build a writing practice that grows with you, the art of writing short and long fiction the importance of play, her residency in Berlin and about some of her short stories and how they came to be written.
^^^ Watch (captions available)
˅˅˅ listen (mp3)
Next time we’ll talk about her favorite stories of her own and the writers she admires, working in short fiction now. We also talk about the importance of community for writers, and then Rachel turns the tables on me!
Rachel Swearingen is the author of “How to Walk on Water and other short stories” which received the New American Press Fiction Prize.
LINKS
This episode: storyaday.org/episode282
Rachel’s site: rachelswearing.com
Sign up for StoryADay May: http://storyaday.org/signup
Support the podcast: glow.fm/storyaday
Join us as we talk about building a productive writing practice, no matter what…..
It’s an end-of-year episode with a twist (hint: don’t want to set New Year’s Resolutions? Join the rebellious crowd!)
Listen to the Audio
Watch the video
Watch video with full transcript here
LINKS:
Never miss an episode: Subscribe to the Podcast
Link to this episode: https://storyaday.org/episode253
Join the discussion in the Serious Writers’ Accountability Group (SWAGr)
Download the free Short Story Framework and write today, not ‘some day’. Go from ‘idea’ to ‘the end’ without getting lost along the way!
Weekly writing prompts and lessons in your inbox, every Wednesday with the StoryAWeek Newsletter
Take the 3-Day Challenge and write three short stories this weekend!
Join us as we talk about building a productive writing practice, no matter what…..
My conversation continues, with award-winning author Mary Robinette Kowal as we discuss her new novel The Spare Man and the art of writing even in the face of challenges. Don’t miss it!
Listen to the Audio
Watch the video
Watch video with full transcript here
LINKS:
Never miss an episode: Subscribe to the Podcast
Link to this episode: https://storyaday.org/episode273
Join the discussion in the Serious Writers’ Accountability Group (SWAGr)
Download the free Short Story Framework and write today, not ‘some day’. Go from ‘idea’ to ‘the end’ without getting lost along the way!
Weekly writing prompts and lessons in your inbox, every Wednesday with the StoryAWeek Newsletter
Take the 3-Day Challenge and write three short stories this weekend!
Join us as we talk about writing, cocktails and the art of writing what you don’t know…
Murder! Cocktails! Adorable service dogs!
Award-winning author Mary Robinette Kowal comes to the StoryADay podcast to discuss her new novel The Spare Man and the art of writing books you’d actually want to read. Don’t miss it!
Listen to the Audio
Watch the video
Watch video with full transcript here
LINKS
MaryRobinette.com
Mary Robinette Kowal’s Patreon
My Favorite Bit (10 best Fantine curses)
Never miss an episode: Subscribe to the Podcast
Link to this episode: https://storyaday.org/episode273
Join the discussion in the Serious Writers’ Accountability Group (SWAGr)
Download the free Short Story Framework and write today, not ‘some day’. Go from ‘idea’ to ‘the end’ without getting lost along the way!
Weekly writing prompts and lessons in your inbox, every Wednesday with the StoryAWeek Newsletter
Take the 3-Day Challenge and write three short stories this weekend!
Don’t be afraid!
it’s that time of year when you’re supposed to make goals, but how to do it without getting bored, scared, disappointed or terrified? I have some thoughts…
Listen to the Audio
Never miss an episode: Subscribe to the Podcast
Link to this episode: https://storyaday.org/episode272
Join the discussion in the Serious Writers’ Accountability Group (SWAGr)
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Download the Annual Planning Bundle and always know your next, smallest step as you chase your writing goals.
A supportive group of committed writers, who meet virtually, support each other’s efforts, and
become better writers today, not ‘some day’.
The only qualification to be a ‘Superstar” is a desire to write and support your fellow writers.
The only qualification to be a ‘Superstar” is a desire to write and support your fellow writers.
A supportive group of committed writers, who meet virtually, support each other’s efforts, and inspire each other.
Registration for 2024 open now-June 8, 2024
A 6-part journey through the short story.
Starts July 28, 2023
